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Islam Today

There is a common belief about Islam that it teaches its adherents to be close-minded. In actual fact, Islam teaches the spirit of enquiry and asks its adherents to remove their ignorance by seeking answers to questions.

What is fanaticism? It is defined by Webster as “excessive and unreasonable enthusiasm or zeal.” Used in the religious context, it connotes “religious extremism.” Zealots may act under the banner of religion, but it must be borne in mind that their actions, are the very negation of the true religious spirit.

Contrary to common belief, Islam does not promote war with their enemies.

Under the scheme of the divine trial of human beings, God has granted man freedom. Due to this freedom, enmities may develop between people (20:123), which sometimes lead them to war. But Islam makes a clear difference between enmity and war.

Let us try to understand why Islam is considered a religion of violence.

Today is the age of media. Before the advent of the modern media there were a large number of people in the world who knew nothing of Islam. With the invention of the printing press and the advent of the electronic media it is difficult to find even a single person, today, who is unaware of it.